Entries in Neo-Archangelsk
(3)

After taking some time off from the "Quick Ruy" series, this week I've resumed with the final episode on the Neo-Archangelsk system (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5). It looks like it isn't doing very well in the main line at the moment, but sooner or later I'm sure Shirov or Caruana (or both) will come to its rescue. In the meantime, this week's video should give you a decent overview of where things currently stand.

As always, the video is free (free registration required) and is available on-demand for the next month or so.

We move boldly on to part XXIV of our series on the "Quick" Ruy, which I hope to finish before receiving solicitations from AARP. (I remain optimistic!) We've been looking at the Archangelsk variations and are now 2/3 of the way through with the Neo-Archangelsk, which begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5. Last time we examined lines where White plays Nxe5 before Black gets in ...d6; this time, we look at positional lines starting with 7.c3 and 7.a4.

While the most principled lines are the sharpest and most theory-intense, it's possible for White to "just play chess" too, and some players will find that the most attractive option. So for those who do, or for those who play this with Black and need to know what to do about it, this week's ChessVideos show is for you. Next time, we move on to the absolute main line, which can arise after various move orders, e.g. 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.Na3 0-0 11.axb5 axb5 12.Nxb5.

The video is available for free (free registration is required, if you haven't done it already) and on-demand for the next month or so. Enjoy!

In this week's ChessVideos show, we continue our theoretical investigations in the Ruy, moving on to the Neo-Archangelsk variation that arises after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5. In this video, which is part one of three on the Neo-Archangelsk, I do three things.

First, I compare this with the regular, old Archangelsk with 6...Bb7. In quite a few lines Black is better off in the Neo- version, but not in every case; the old line has its distinctive points as well.

Second, I offer an overview of the Neo-Archangelsk, so viewers get a sense of the lay of the land, outlining the territory for the next two shows as well.

Finally, we get to the meat, examining lines with a quick Nxe5: 7.a4 Rb8 and now both 8.Nxe5 Nxe5 9.d4 and 8.axb5 axb5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.d4. These are important sidelines, and if you play either color of the Neo-Archangelsk you'll want to know these variations!

The show is free as always (registration is required but free, easy and one-time-only) and will be available on-demand for the next month or so.